Sea otters manage populations of other marine species by feeding on them Sea otters reside in the underwater which has extremely cold temperatures. They are adapted to this kind of environment by possessing a dense fur coat which insulates the body from cold. However, this is not enough to keep the sea otters warm.
What kind of fur does a sea otter have?
The sea otter’s dark brown fur is the finest and densest of any animal fur. On an adult animal, there are an estimated 650,000 hairs per square inch. A sea otter relies on its fur to keep warm because it doesn’t have an insulating layer of blubber as other marine mammals do.
Why do sea otters spend time grooming their fur?
Natural oils in a sea otter’s fur repel water and trap tiny air bubbles, providing a layer of warm air between the otter’s skin and the harsh elements of its environment. Sea otters may spend as much as 48% of the daylight hours grooming their fur.
How is the sea otter different from other cetaceans?
In comparison to cetaceans, sirenians, and pinnipeds, which entered the water approximately 50, 40, and 20 million years ago, respectively, the sea otter is a relative newcomer to a marine existence. In some respects, though, the sea otter is more fully adapted to water than pinnipeds, which must haul out on land or ice to give birth.
What do sea otters do in the water?
Sea otters have webbed feet, water-repellent fur to keep them dry and warm, and nostrils and ears that close in the water. Sea otters often float at the water’s surface, lying on their backs in a posture of serene repose. They sleep this way, often gathered in groups.
Sea otters have thick underfur that traps air to form an insulating layer against the chilly waters (they have no insulating fat). This coat is invaluable to otters, but it has worth to some humans as well. Sea otters were hunted for their fur to the point of near extinction.
How long does a sea otter hold its breath?
An otter’s lung capacity is 2.5 times greater than that of similar-sized land mammals. Sea otters have been known to stay submerged for more than 5 minutes at a time. River otters, however, can hold their breath for up to 8 minutes. The increased time underwater improves otters’ opportunity to sense prey and forage for food.
Where do sea otters live in the United States?
Southern sea otters range along the mainland coastline of California from San Mateo County to Santa Barbara County, and San Nicolas Island. Ain’t no party like a sea otter party! A group of otters stay together for mutual protection from predators in the waters around Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska. Photo by Becky King, National Park Service.
